SAN JUAN, (Reuters) – Venezuela reached the semi-finals of the Copa America for the first time yesterday by beating Chile 2-1 in yet another quarter-final upset.
Left-back Gabriel Cichero scored their winning goal nine minutes from time, stabbing the ball home from close range after Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo had parried a Juan Arango free kick.
Centre back Oswaldo Vizcarrondo had given the Venezuelans the lead with a header in the 35th minute, also from an Arango freekick, before Humberto Suazo equalised for Chile in the 70th minute.
Both teams ended the match with 10 men, Chile’s Gary Medel and Venezuela’s Tomas Rincon sent off in the closing minutes.Venezuela will face Paraguay in Mendoza on Wednesday for a place in the final.
